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Speedy Leafs fall just short in Washington

There were signs of some youthful life in these new-look Leafs — they are faster — the result was a frustratingly familiar one. This one was a 3-2 loss Wednesday night, Toronto’s 10th loss in 12 games (2-9-1).

The Leafs' Nikita Soshnikov got a boarding penalty for this hit on Washington defenceman Karl Alzner on Wednesday night. Soshnikov also scored his first NHL in an eventful evening. (Alex Brandon / The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON—Nikita Soshnikov really wants to impress. And not just his teammates, Leaf Nation and coach Mike Babcock — everyone.

When the media asked to speak with him — he scored his first NHL goal and was a physical dynamo all night in a 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Wednesday night — out came teammate Leo Komarov to translate for the young Russian. Soshnikov, however, insisted on answering himself.

A little thing like a language barrier wasn’t going to stop him after the night he’d had, even if his statements were short and to the point.

Score, hit, skate hard, play hard, take penalties and answer for it later. Maybe it was nothing more than the enthusiasm of youth, but Soshnikov looks like he can do it all.

“I always try to play physical,” said Soshnikov.

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He scored in the second period on a beauty of a snap shot to begin Toronto’s rally from a 2-0 deficit. But his boarding call against the Caps’ Karl Alzner led to Washington’s game-winning goal just 28 seconds after Leafs forward Colin Greening tied the game.

If Babcock was upset, it wasn’t with Soshnikov.

“He’s 180 pounds, Alzner’s 225, I don’t know,” the Leafs coach said. “Obviously he (Soshnikov) is a talented guy and he competes hard. The one thing about it, the opposition knows the guys who compete hard, and if he was ticking them off, that’s usually a good sign.”

Though there were signs of youthful life in the new-look Maple Leafs, the result was a frustratingly familiar one and amounted to their ninth loss in 12 games (2-9-1).

There was no shame in losing to the Capitals, the best team in the NHL, and that the Leafs were even in it says something. The Caps are the NHL’s best home team (26-5-2), so it was a long-shot at best for the Leafs to try to pick up two points here.

“We played a heck of a game,” said new Leafs forward Brooks Laich, playing his first game against his old team. “They’re the best home team in the NHL. We hung right with them. I’m very proud of them.

“This can be a very intimidating building. We didn’t shy away. You could see frustration on their (the Caps’) faces. I know how well that team can play and I think we stifled them. It’s a tribute to the way our team can play.”

The game was an opportunity for Laich to say goodbye to the Washington Capitals, the team he grew to be synonymous with. He played every role on this team for 12 seasons, from first-line centre to fourth-line grinder. The crowd loved him, not just for what he did on the ice but also for his enthusiasm off it. No one told hockey stories, on the record in front of the cameras quite like Laich.

Even Capitals owner Ted Leonsis weighed in on the trade that sent Laich to the Leafs.

“I was pre-briefed and I gulped, just because he’s meant so much to us,” Leonsis told local television.

In a nod to what he meant to the Capitals, Babcock had Laich out for the initial puck drop.

“First shift, got in a battle, right off the faceoff, got the puck in, got the legs going, here we go,” said Laich. “Once the puck dropped I knew it was going to be okay. The game wasn’t as awkward or weird as I thought it was going to be.”

Early in the first period, Laich got a standing ovation during a minute-long video tribute. Even his ex-Capitals teammates tapped their sticks in appreciation.

“It meant a lot for me and for the fans,” said Laich.

Laich responded by raising his stick, and putting his hands together to applaud the crowd right back.

“Of all the teams I’ve ever been on here, this was the tightest team,” Laich said of the Capitals. “They really have something special.”

But he’s a Leaf now. And even though he went from first to worst in one fell swoop, he says he’s all-in. He’s 32 and ready for more.

“We have a lot of young kids that are very excited to be at the rink. We have good veterans mixed in and an energetic coaching staff,” said Laich. “I really learned a lot from this organization, the Washington Capitals. I can bring a lot to that locker room in Toronto.”

Laich’s role had diminished with the arrival of younger, faster guns in Washington. He had told reporters earlier in his career he wanted to play until he’s 50.

“I don’t know if I’ll make 50,” said Laich. “I said that when I was a single guy. But certainly I have a lot of hockey in me. Certainly would love to play until I am 40. I have milestones I’d love to get to.”

But first he has to get his game back. Babcock will use him more than the Capitals did with an eye to just that.

“We’ve got to give him some responsibility on the ice, get his game back, get his confidence back, his play,” said Babcock. “It’s hard to lead when you’re not playing. You’re tempted to just worry about yourself and keep your mouth shut. He’s a good man. We expect him to find his game and help us.”

NOTES: Daniel Winnik played his first game for Washington . . . Soshnikov became the 622nd different player to score a goal in a ‪Leafs uniform . . . Defenceman Connor Carrick collected his first assist in just his second game as a Leaf. Carrick’s assist was also his first point in five NHL games this season . . . Even with all the changes, the Leafs still only had five players in their lineup whom they had drafted . . . The Leafs are at home to Minnesota on Thursday night.

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